Stephanie Culberson
The last time Chattanooga resident Stephanie Culberson was on national television, she was second runner-up to Miss America 2002.
On Monday night, the reigning Miss Tennessee USA is hoping to become Miss USA 2004 when the finals are televised on NBC (WRCB TV3 locally) beginning at 9 p.m. from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.
The winner will represent the nation at May’s Miss Universe Pageant in Quito, Ecaudor.
The finals culminate a busy two weeks for the 24-year-old who has been participating in pre-pageant events, rehearsals and interviews which led to Thursday’s presentation show where Culberson and the other 50 contestants competed in swimsuit and evening wear.
The Lee University business and piano performance graduate had a 4.0 average since grade school. The Knoxville native is currently a pharmaceutical representative for the Chattanooga Pfizer office.
Culberson’s appearance at Miss USA completes a sweep for Chattanoogans at the national pageant level this year. In September, Soddy-Daisy’s Jamie Watkins represented the state at the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City.
Should Culberson become Miss USA, she would be only the second Tennesseean to win the title. Lynnette Cole of Columbia was Miss USA 2000 and Culberson’s predecessor, Cleveland’s Beth Hood, was fourth runner-up last year to outgoing queen Susie Castillo of Massachusetts.